FRESCHOT, Casimir Don.
[An extremely rare miniature map of Provence](122) Provenza in Francia. Sotto il re Christianissimo di Religione' Catholica sua Longhezza 150 miglia.Venice: Giovanni Pare', c. 1680. Sheet 51 x 52mm. Trimmed from a large broadsheet.Don Casimir Freschot, a Benedictine Priest and author of about 50 books on history and Venice, composed a 'goose game', 'Geografia ridotta a giuoco per istruttione della giovane nobiltà veneziana', to facilitate "the teaching of geography to the young Venetian nobility", of which this map was a section. Engraved by Anton Francesco Lucini, this was probably the earliest geographical game to be published. The 'board' comprised 153 squares containing small maps, arranged in a spiral, with a plan of Venice at the centre. Above the game were four larger maps of the continents, the rules, including the prizes and forfeits for landing on squares, and a dedication. There is only one known complete example, in the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana in Venice. Even incomplete examples are extremely rare."Charta Geographica" magazine, vol.1, page 76; plus insert with facsimile broadsheet.
[Ref: 11158]
£380.00
($504 • €439 rates)